Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[pedro25]

I don't think NRC is any better or worse than Makoun, Petrov and Delph, same with Bradley, can't see the point of just another body in there on £40k+ per week, a top quality player like Parker or Milner would make a difference but not more of the same imo.  NRC is a better tackler than the other 3 and has a better engine than Petrov but that's about it, on balance I'd say he's on a par with them and not a better player.  We have those 3 and Hogg/Herd/Gardner for 2 spots, I don't think that's too bad.  Likewise Bannan and Ireland to compete for the creative berth is ok imo.  We do need two wide players though, I'm fed up of seeing our strikers play wide as per the last few seasons.  When Albrighton and N'Zogbia need a break we must have a wideman to draft in, not Heskey, Gabby and Delfouneso please.

[Concrete John]

This is one of those podcast/video things I can't access from work, anyone care to post a summary?

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/07/21/villa-view-aston-villa-prepared-to-play-waiting-game-for-n-zogbia-but-more-cash-may-be-made-available-in-for-transfer-fund-97319-29097344/

In particular, it's supposed to make reference to:-
    * Shay Given hopes for a long and prosperous career at Villa Park
    * Paul Faulkner prepared to play the waiting game in bid to secure Charles N'Zogbia's signature
    * The funds Aston Villa are prepared to free up to bring in extra players
    * A look forward to Alex McLeish's first games in charge as Villa take on Walsall and Blackburn

[richard moore]

The definition of a highlights player, by all accounts.

I very nearly said the same GR, for which read 'Alan Thompson'

[PaulTheVillan]

I don't think NRC is any better or worse than Makoun, Petrov and Delph, same with Bradley, can't see the point of just another body in there on £40k+ per week, a top quality player like Parker or Milner would make a difference but not more of the same imo.  NRC is a better tackler than the other 3 and has a better engine than Petrov but that's about it, on balance I'd say he's on a par with them and not a better player.  We have those 3 and Hogg/Herd/Gardner for 2 spots, I don't think that's too bad.  Likewise Bannan and Ireland to compete for the creative berth is ok imo.  We do need two wide players though, I'm fed up of seeing our strikers play wide as per the last few seasons.  When Albrighton and N'Zogbia need a break we must have a wideman to draft in, not Heskey, Gabby and Delfouneso please.

Makoun has a great eye for a pass, something NRC didn't do. NRC was great at breaking up play & getting stuck in.

Shame we couldn't have morphed them into one player.

[pedro25]

I don't think NRC is any better or worse than Makoun, Petrov and Delph, same with Bradley, can't see the point of just another body in there on £40k+ per week, a top quality player like Parker or Milner would make a difference but not more of the same imo.  NRC is a better tackler than the other 3 and has a better engine than Petrov but that's about it, on balance I'd say he's on a par with them and not a better player.  We have those 3 and Hogg/Herd/Gardner for 2 spots, I don't think that's too bad.  Likewise Bannan and Ireland to compete for the creative berth is ok imo.  We do need two wide players though, I'm fed up of seeing our strikers play wide as per the last few seasons.  When Albrighton and N'Zogbia need a break we must have a wideman to draft in, not Heskey, Gabby and Delfouneso please.

Makoun has a great eye for a pass, something NRC didn't do. NRC was great at breaking up play & getting stuck in.

Shame we couldn't have morphed them into one player.

I think Petrov breaks up the play as well as NRC, but in a different style as he is more intelligent, reads the play, and makes lots of interceptions, while NRC is a better tackler and has more pace to retreat and make important challenges.  Delph has the energy of NRC and is a better passer but is tackling is not technically as good and he's more rash.  Makoun has a similar engine but I see him more replacing Petrov keeping the play ticking over, but with quicker and often more incisive passing, rather than bombing up and down.

[N'ZMAV]

Petrov, Makoun and Ireland could work.

[pedro25]

Petrov, Makoun and Ireland could work.

Agreed, would prefer Delph over Petrov, but either should work.

[DB]

Petrov, Makoun and Ireland could work.

Agreed, would prefer Delph over Petrov, but either should work.

If Ireland doesn't show any of his behaviours over the past year, but there is no reason to think he has change just because he had a decent game vs Walsall.

[eastie]

Petrov, Makoun and Ireland could work.

prefer delph makoun and ireland

[brontebilly]

reo coker wasnt even looking for near the same money as Petrov or Ireland nor Makoun probably. Put yourself in his position, obviously you would look for a pay rise comparable against your peers. He was our best central midfield player last year, showing good character giving his all with his contract up in the air. Petrov is finished really. 442 is not an option if he starts. Really think Reo Coker should be signed up and we would have a brute in midfield that wont take time to settle in. though its probably gone too far for either party now which is a pity.

huge question marks over the others in midfield - petrov (will he decline further next year), makoun (will he be suited to the EPL), Delph (very little EPL experience, needs to step up this season), Ireland (will he be in a mental home in 6 months) - at least with Reo Coker you would be getting a solid EPL performer at a minimum and provide some solidity to enable the likes of Ireland and Makoun to play more.

Just think it is another in a string of bad decisions made by AVFC.

[Clark W Griswold]

Playing 4-3-3 the squad doesn't look too bad;

GK; Given, Guzan, Marshal. (1)
FB; L Young, Beye, Warnock, Lichaj (2)
CB; Dunne, Cuellar, Collins, Clark (2)
CM; Delph, Petrov, Makoun, Ireland, Bannan, Hogg (3)
W; Albrighton, (Gabby), (Heskey), ANOther (2)
CF; Bent, (Gabby), (Heskey), Delfoneso (1)

So, we definately need a winger and if Cuellar and Heskey go, they need replacing, but in all honesty i think other signings would just to improve us rather than being essential, as we don't look too bad numbers wise.

[eastie]

reo coker wasnt even looking for near the same money as Petrov or Ireland nor Makoun probably. Put yourself in his position, obviously you would look for a pay rise comparable against your peers. He was our best central midfield player last year, showing good character giving his all with his contract up in the air. Petrov is finished really. 442 is not an option if he starts. Really think Reo Coker should be signed up and we would have a brute in midfield that wont take time to settle in. though its probably gone too far for either party now which is a pity.

huge question marks over the others in midfield - petrov (will he decline further next year), makoun (will he be suited to the EPL), Delph (very little EPL experience, needs to step up this season), Ireland (will he be in a mental home in 6 months) - at least with Reo Coker you would be getting a solid EPL performer at a minimum and provide some solidity to enable the likes of Ireland and Makoun to play more.

Just think it is another in a string of bad decisions made by AVFC.

reo-coker has flown to america to sign for bolton according to reports.

[Concrete John]

Just think it is another in a string of bad decisions made by AVFC.

I tall depends on what his wage expectations were, which we can only guess at. 

Taking the financial element away and just viewing him as a player, I wish he had stayed aswell.

[Dave]

I still wouldn't be surprised if NRC came back. He had definately agreed to join blose before they went down. Could have blown it now with those comments he made though.

who said he agreed to join blues?

From the horses mouth eastie :0)

so you are saying reo-coker told you he had agreed to join blues?
i know he lives at the mail box , is that where you are based as well greg, or did you bump into him elsewhere?

surprised if he turned down villa to go to blues , i always thought he had aspirations of better things.

nah. know someone who works inside the training ground. He came to say goodbye and told 'em

So not 'from the horse's mouth' at all then?

[Merv]

reo-coker has flown to america to sign for bolton according to reports.

He's been badly advised by his agent again, there. A drive up the M6 and the M62 would have got him there quicker.